Enlightra advances AI interconnects with Yokogawa
Author: Joe Peck
Enlightra, a Swiss photonics company, is using optical spectrum analysers from Yokogawa, a Japanese manufacturer of industrial measurement, control, and automation systems, to develop multi-channel laser sources for optical interconnects in next-generation AI data centres.
The company is developing compact laser sources based on optical frequency comb technology. Its microcomb platform generates multiple precisely spaced optical wavelengths from a single laser, providing an alternative to using separate lasers for each optical communication channel.
The systems are designed to generate between eight and 32 comb lines, with channel spacing ranging from 100 to 800GHz and power per line exceeding 7dBm across O-band datacom and C-band telecom wavelengths.
Enlightra needs to measure the number of channels, line spacing, power per line, channel-to-channel power variation, and optical noise floor during development.
The company characterises thousands of photonic chips during development, making measurement speed and repeatability important. It uses Yokogawa optical spectrum analysers to capture high-resolution measurements across a broad wavelength range.
The analysers provide a resolution of 0.02nm and a close-in dynamic range of more than 70dB, allowing engineers to distinguish individual comb lines and measure the noise floor between channels.
The measurements are used to assess line spacing, power levels, spectral flatness, and optical signal-to-noise ratio across O-band and C-band systems.
Optical measurements for development
Fast sweep performance allows Enlightra to maintain measurement throughput when characterising large numbers of photonic chips. The instruments also provide broad wavelength coverage for development and validation work.
Measurement quality is also important when Enlightra demonstrates its technology to potential customers at exhibitions and other live demonstrations.
The company says portable field instruments previously used for demonstrations did not always reproduce the resolution and low-noise performance available in its laboratory. Limited resolution could affect the displayed shape and peak power of individual comb lines, while making the noise floor more difficult to distinguish.
Using Yokogawa optical spectrum analysers allows Enlightra to reproduce the measurement quality of its laboratory equipment during demonstrations.
Hanae Zegmout, Lead Photonic Designer at Enlightra, says, “In the frequency comb space, Yokogawa is the gold standard. Choosing its spectrum analysers ensures that our data is immediately trusted and recognised.
“Our experience with the two Yokogawa systems in our lab shows that these analysers are robust, hold their calibration well, and offer a seamless user experience.”
The instruments are used across Enlightra’s research and development work, as well as demonstrations of its comb-laser technology for optical interconnects.
To read the full case study, you can click here.
Yokogawa is also due to exhibit its optical test and measurement equipment alongside frequency-comb laser technology at ECOC 2026 in Málaga, Spain, from 21–23 September 2026.
